Vehicles for Sale Nearby

2009 Audi A4

Comments

I have driven the A4 2.0T quattro and the A6 3.0t quattro--all 2009. I find the interior of the A6 to be much more roomy and nicer, but the A4 was a little disappointing with the 4 banger--and it sounds like a 4 banger, which for me is a problem.

So my question is: will I like the A4 3.2 with Prestige, Nav, etc.???

Also has anyone compared the B&O audio in the A4 to the Bose in the A6?

I drove the A4 3.2 with sports package back to back with a 2.0 standard suspension. The purpose was to decide on the suspension option. The 3.2 was smooth and sounded good. I went for the 2.0 since most of my driving is is local. Reviewers say the 3.2 and 2.0 have the same performance. I love my daughter's VW GLI Jetta turbo-2006.

I opted for the sports package despite it being very stiff. It still was less harsh than my 2006 M35X. Audi has an adjustable suspension called drive select. I have heard good things. Audi forums audiforums and audi-forums dot com are both worth reading.

I have not heard the B&O system but the buzz is great. My wife's 3.2 is up in June. Next week we go to look at a new one and if I try a B&O I will let you know. We may well buy the 3.2 and have it certified for the 100,000 mile Audi warranty. 2.9% and a deal much less than the residual on the lease.

If you buy the B&O on the Prestige package it has a much lower lease residual than the Premium Plus. Add drive select and you are way up there $$$.

I always have doubts about the longevity of turbo engines. They may he better now though.

Did you test drive the Caddy CTS? I did not but you are being thorough. I would be curious to hear your impressions. Owners I spoke to love them. Look at one with sports, 4 wheel, direct injection. My company leases for me so I did not consider a purchase. Other wise I would have.

Maybe you can grind down the Caddy purchase price and have a third party do the lease. As a practical matter low auto lease money factors must be subsidized by the manufacturer. Their true cost of their money is tied to commercial paper rates. High residuals are also a distortion. The prices of the luxury cars are inflated to make room for these manipulations.

I went from an all optioned (including the leather upgrade) 2005 A6 3.2 to a 2009 all optioned (everything but automatic cruise control) A4 2.0T Prestige w/19" sport package.

The interior of the 2009 felt like coming home to a 2005 A6. Now, I have driven 05 to 08 A6's, and sat in the new 09 A6 3.0T.

The size difference (wheelbase is about 1" longer on the A6) is very minimal. The width of the A6 does contribute to a slightly more spacious feeling.

Behind the wheel, the A6 does have a longer hood, but it is also nose heavy and it tends to plow through the twisties, at least compared to the new A4.

The sound of the supercharged engine and even the 3.2 that I had are nearly as sweet as the the Audi 4.2 V8. The 2.0T at full cry sounds very good -- perhaps something akin to a Porsche (sortof). At part throttle, the A4's sound is either very muted or merely OK. The thing is smooth, smooth, smooth, even though it doesn't have the sweet sounds many of us want.

Equipped with Prestige, ADS, sport package, wood, power sunshades and in tiptronic form, the A4 runs just slightly south of $50,000 without the upgraded paint (mine is white).

My outgoing A6 was $53,286. The lease payment is virtually identical, but the A4 has a 50,000 mile lease and the A6 was 45,000 -- both came with maintenance (an option these days).

The performance of the new A4 is even better than my 1995 S6 and my 1997 A8.

I love it.

The rear biased torsen and better weight distribution contribute to a more engaging driving experience than my outgoing A6.

The A4 has moved up the luxury scale considerably this year. It is, as I noted, "almost" a 2005 A6 -- missing only the ambient lighting of the A6.

But I have the in dash 6 disk CD player rather than the one in the '05 which was in the glove box.

Overall these cars are more alike than different -- but oh that Supercharged V6 -- and the driving dynamics of the A4 show the chassis of the current A6, even with that super supercharged motivator, is in need of a refreshening.

If you want more lux content -- the A6 wins and the V6 is fantastic (according to all I have read it is like the V8, which I have driven.) If you want a bit more modern performance luxury car and can justify $50 grand for an A4, well it is an obvious choice.

Thanks for the comments. I am still confused. I drove the A4 3.2 the other day and liked it. I am waiting for leasing numbers on the 2.0, which was fine other than the fact that the engine sounds like a Toyota...I would expect with a $6000 plus price difference the numbers would be more realistic for the 2.0.

The biggest thing for me right now is the electronics. The Audi electronics are a little behind the times--no hard drive, and no nav traffic. I could live without that, but I am putting this A4 up against the Acura TL now and the TL is slightly ahead. The main advantage of the Audi here is the trunk space and overall handling, but again, it's very close.

That said, I am wondering about the B&O stereo vs. the Acura ELS package, which is VERY impressive. I heard a B&O in the A5 and was not impressed--does anyone know if the A4 B&O is tuned differently than the coupe? The rear was almost muted.....

I'll keep you all posted, but again, I can't WAIT to be rid of my M35x. I am actually returning it 3 months early and just paying off the lease I hate it and the dealership so much....but that's another story which was covered in the Infiniti threads.

Art:Audio is a personal taste. You have three months left so take your time. Listen to each. No doubt the Japanese cars give more bang for the buck and less service issues.

I opted for Audi for the fold down rear seats and good looks. Sirius vs XM. I am more of a CNBC/Howard 100/50s oldies guy on the car radio so the B&O is not for me. My wife's 2007 A4 3.2 has the Premium Plus radio and the sound is better than the M35X 14 speaker BOSE with DVD. BOSE is B.S.

Your M must be worse than mine was to eat 3-months rent. A call to Pepe Infiniti in White Plains would be worth it. I think Tom was the service manager.

VW/Audi are SOB's on the minor dings on lease termination I am learning re the Jetta. Their inspector much have be trained in Ingolstadt at headquarters..

Are the rear view mirrors (inside and out) on the A4 electrochromatic (dimming)?

Are the outside mirrors heated?

Thanks

And yes Barry, my M is horrible--drivetrain issues they can't fix, and interior buzzing noises due to that where the service manager told me to "turn my radio up". The sooner I am away from that car the better off I will be.

The outside mirrors are heated and the right mirror auto dips when the car is put into reverse.

The B&O system, for my tastes is the best factory system ever -- however, the Acura DVD Audio (if you can find any discs) is fantastic.

The 2010 Audis will have the HDD and the 3G electronics -- which will pretty much just make them catch up with the Japanese.

I have the 2009 which, other than the backup camera, is identical to my 2005 A6's -- everything works and works well. It is not as modern as the Acura or Infiniti systems -- I also have the blind spot warning system which I thought was going to be a nothin' -- it really is a something and I am glad I have it.

The time, NOW, is passed to order a 2009 A4 -- so, ordering now will get you the upgraded electronics you may want, based on your post.

You'll also likely get some economy boosts too with the start stop system Audi has announced for the upcoming year.

fglamser,I had A6 with a CVT and I loved it. The driving sensation is almost like being pulled by a cable... think rollercoaster (I had one person describe it like an aircraft carrier pulley but I've never taken off in an aircraft carrier so I don't know how accurate that is). It's different in a very good way. Since the transmission is continously adjusting, there aren't any noticable shifts up or down, just a nice smooth drive. On paper, the CVT should have better gas mileage and I was very happy with the average MPG on my A6. Hope that helps.

I just drove the A4 2.0T again and had my wife drive it. This looks like the choice for us. I am going to order a 2010 however because I can get it in July, closer to when my current lease is up, and I learned the 3rd generation MMI and Nav from the Q5 will be incorporated into the A4 for 2010--and I prefer to have traffic and hard drive.

Pricing is TBD but it appears I will just get the car exactly the way I want it.The only conundrum for me is whether or not to get Drive Select--I am basically happy with the car without--what do you all think?

Since Monday I have been driving an 09 A4 2.0 Premium (not plus loaner) while my wife's A4 3.2 was in the shop. We had moderate rain. I drove the Hutchinson River and Cross County Parkways in Westchester County, NY. I was very satisfied with the standard suspension. The steering is very light at low speeds but tightens up and seems quicker at highway speed. The ride and handling was excellent if not sporty.

As I previously mentioned I soon expect a 2009 A4 2.0 Premium Plus with sport package suspension, 18" wheels inc. summer tires. After my three day experience I realized the sport package is not that necessary. It may be a serious comfort trade off when driving to Manhattan or the bumpy boroughs. But a plus driving north on the Taconic or to VT. I will need snow tires and maybe extra wheels. My wife might complain about the ride also. The drive select is the best of both worlds I suppose. I believe it includes 18" wheels and all season tires rather than summer tires.

I know this answer is not completely to the point but drive select is a rare option I do not have. Maybe audiforums dotcom has some members posting experiences. They have international membership. Or you can post a request for comments there . I think NY Times recently tested one with drive select and was very favorable.

You are building a $50,000 Audi A4 so a dealer who has one to test should give you the red carpet treatment. Maybe a full day test.

The more options the lower the residual. So you might also consider a Jaguar, A6, BMW or Mercedes. The residual may be better on a more expensive car rather than gilding the lily on an A4. Just my opinion.

At this point, I am going to buy the car. The new tax laws allowing deduction of the sales tax and interest on a car loan make that option very attractive. The A6, while beautiful, is just more car than I need right now. The dealer is working with me on price, I just have to decide how I want the car built--with or without ADS.

Good move. When my car comes in I will ask about buying also. Problem is I use mine for business. Depreciation is very limited for any amount over a pittance. It is a luxury car subject to unfavorable treatment.

You might find a loaded demo to buy. Maybe a dealer'ship owner's car. Not too many Prestige, nav, drive select to be had.

Remember, the stimulus package caps income limits for the deductions eligibility. I think 125,000/250,000 a couple.

Big plus not to pay lease bank fee, termination fee and rip off assessments for minor dings at lease termination. Audi Credit views their final inspection as a profit point opportunity. Very unfriendly.

We just bought my wife's A4 3.2 2007 before 30 month lease end. Dealer sold it well under residual, Certified it for 100,000 guarantee and 3-yr. 1.9% loan. She will retire and no longer commute. It should last along time.

I replaced the factory summer only tires with Yoko's Advan S4 UHP all-seasons.

The sticker on the car was ~$49,650.

I have about 8,000 miles on the car (picked it up in October.)

Have had the first service interval and other than the tire swap, nuttin'. . . .

I traded in a nearly all optioned 2005 A6 3.2.

I have had 28 or 29 Audis since 1977. Pretty much, you name it, I have had it (or if not me, my wife.)

Whattya wanna know about ADS and ADS with a configuration such as the one outlined above?

My thoughts: "everyone would get ADS if it were $1,000 less."

Again, whattya wanna know?

I set my individual preference (which is one of the four settings) to:

Dynamic steeringDynamic engine and transmissionAuto suspension

Every option can be: Comfort, Auto, or Dynamic in Individual Mode.

The three set parms are: Comfort for everything, Auto for everything or Dynamic for everything.

I rarely use Dynamic -- although when I do, I must say it is an absolute BLAST!

I typically use Individual and when I hit the Interstate for a long jaunt, I set it to Comfort and set the cruise control to "prevailing conditions and speeds."

The character of the car is different in each mode and will improve either the comfort or the "compliance" of the car based on how it is set and how you drive.

With the 19" x 255 x 35 tires, the availability of Comfort mode pretty much eliminates the bone jarring effects of such a low profile set of shoes.

Then when I want to "play" the car can be "a snake in a rat hole" in the twisties.

Now, at 8,000 miles the car has just reached its third break in and this thing seems to have even more torque than it did at 5,000 miles (which is to say it feels, at times, "limitless.")

ADS is expensive -- it may be too expensive, but now that I have it, I would not want to go without.

I love the look of the 19" wheels but I am NOT a fan of Summer Only shoes and that, more than anything else, ticked me off -- I should be able to get what I want from the factory rather than having to rebuy tires on a new car.

Again, to not go on about something you are not interested in, "whattya wanna know?"

Very interesting. What is wrong with summer tires in the summer? What did you do with the OEM tires? Monday I pick up my A4 2.0 sports package with 18" summer tires. If I buy the tire & wheel insurance only the OEM tires are covered.

I took delivery of an A4 B8 2009 model in February 2009. When I went to check the oil level via the MMI the other day, I received a message stating that the information was not available for display at this time.

Can anyone suggest how to have the MMI display the oil level like it used to? :confuse:

Was told that in order to get the color Red, you must get the sport package (and that the residual goes down with the sports package). Does anyone know for sure if Red is only available if you get the sport package? Doesn't say anything in the booklets or the website, but was told this by dealer.

I forgot to mention that I had been driving the car for around 45 minutes before trying to read the oil level so the engine had been warmed up.

I have followed the instructions given in the user manual regarding warming the engine, parking on a level surface, turning off the engine for approx 2 minutes etc. but all to no avail.

What is particularly frustrating is that the car doesn't even come with a manual dipstick to allow you to check the oil level, so I am at a loss to know what to do other than contact the dealer. I just thought there might be an easy fix.

I believe it takes about 3 months from order to delivery. I ordered a 2010 A4 2.0 Quattro Prestige yesterday and am anticipating delivery mid-late July according to the dealer. Any new orders will be 2010-I think 2009 is built out at this time.

Can't wait--took my time deciding but after taking a long drive in the BMW 335 yesterday I am happy with my decision.

Of course it means I am stuck with the M35x for another three months but my wife can drive it.

If you don't mind me asking... Did you negotiate your price already or is that something that is done when the car comes in? I realize 2010 prices aren't out yet, but I didn't know if they negotiated $ about/below invoice. Also, are you trading in a car? If so, did you agree on a trade-in amount or will that be taken care of when your new car arrives?

I'm hoping to order my first Audi early this summer, so I'm curious about the process.